Advanced Level Canine Good Citizen Program (CGCA)

The American Kennel Club has released the following information for the CGCA program. Our Advanced Manners class is a series of 5 field trips to practice manners in public places and the test will be given during our final session. (6 sessions, $180) Please check our services for class schedules.

“To earn the AKC Community Canine title, dogs must have a CGC certificate or CGC title on record at AKC, and they must have an AKC number (AKC registration number, PAL number, or AKC Canine Partners number). All dogs, including mixed breeds, can get an AKC number that is used to attach titles to the dog’s record. There will be a title fee of $20.00.

Dogs passing the AKC Community Canine test will earn the “CGCA” (advanced CGC) title and “CGCA” may be listed after the dog’s name.
AKC Community Canine expands on CGC skills and lays the beginning foundation for obedience, rally and therapy dog work.

While Canine Good Citizen tests are simulations of real world skills, the goal of AKC Community Canine is to test the dog’s abilities in a natural setting. For example, rather than the test being administered in a ring, certain elements will involve the dog walking through a real crowd, whether at a dog show or on a busy sidewalk in the community.

As with CGC, AKC Community Canine requires a 10-step test that dogs must pass to earn the official AKC Community Canine title.”

1.	Dog sits or lays down and waits under control.
2.	Walks on a loose leash in a natural situation (not in a ring)—does not pull.
3.	Walks on a loose leash through a crowd.
4.	Dog walks past distraction dogs present; does not pull.
5.	Sit-stay in small group (3 other people with dogs).
6.	Dog allows person who is carrying something to approach and pet it.
7.	“Leave it.” Dog walks by food and follows owner instructions, “Leave it.”
8.	Down or sit stay-distance (owner’s choice).
9.	Recall (coming when called) with distractions present.
10.	Dog will enter/exit a doorway or passageway with owner and remain under control.